The Mission on Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) covers a wide range of horticulture items including fruits, vegetables, root & tuber crops, mushrooms, spices, flowers, aromatic plants, coconut, cashew, cocoa, and bamboo. It is a Centrally-Sponsored Scheme implemented across all states and UTs. MIDH also provides technical advice and administrative support to State Governments and State Horticulture Missions (SHMs) for various horticulture-related activities.
Area of Operation & Funding Pattern:
• National Horticulture Mission (NHM): Operates in all states and Union territories except the North East and Himalayan states/UTs with a 60:40 funding pattern.
• Horticulture Mission for North East & Himalayan States (HMNEH): Covers NE and Himalayan states/UTs with a 90:10 funding pattern.
Launched in 2005-06, NHM aims at the holistic development of the horticulture sector by ensuring forward and backward linkages through a cluster approach involving all stakeholders. Major interventions include: • Supply of quality planting material through nurseries and tissue culture units.
• Area expansion and rejuvenation programs for production and productivity improvement.
• Technology promotion, dissemination, and human resource development.
• Creation of post-harvest management and marketing infrastructure tailored to each state’s agro-climatic conditions.
HMNEH focuses on overall development in the North East and Himalayan states, including Sikkim and the Himalayan states of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
The Executive Committee of MIDH decides the annual outlay to various implementing agencies, which then submit an Annual Action Plan (AAP). Special attention is given to earmarking targets for Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, and women beneficiaries. Higher subsidy rates are provided for activities such as post-harvest infrastructure development and area expansion in designated regions.
Benefits
• Increase in crop productivity through diversification and extension of modern technology.
• Promotion of R&D for cultivation, production, post-harvest management, and processing with a focus on cold chain infrastructure.
• Improvement in post-harvest management and development of marketing infrastructure.
• Encouragement of farmer groups such as FIGs, FPOs, and FPCs to achieve economies of scale.
• Enhanced nutritional security and increased farmers’ income.
• Support for skill development and employment generation in horticulture and the cold chain sector.
Eligibility
• All farmers, registered societies, and state governments are eligible for the scheme.
• The scheme is accessible across all states/UTs with interventions varying based on regional agro-climatic conditions.
Application Process
Offline Process
• Step 01: Interested beneficiaries should contact the District Horticulture Officer or Block Horticulture Officer to apply for the scheme.
• Step 02: The District/Block Horticulture Officer will submit the applicant’s details and project plan to the State Horticulture Mission (SHM).
• Step 03: The SHM finalizes the proposals received from the District Horticulture Mission.
• Step 04: Each proposal is appraised based on MIDH guidelines.
• Step 05: Upon approval, the financial assistance is released to the beneficiary.
Documents Required
• Aadhaar Number
• Land Documents
• Caste Certificate
• Bank Details
• Photographs
• (Additional documents may be required depending on the type of intervention and state-specific guidelines.)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can a beneficiary avail assistance for similar activities under two sub-schemes of MIDH (e.g., cold storage)?
A: Generally, a beneficiary may not claim duplicate benefits for the same activity under multiple sub-schemes. It is advisable to consult the specific guidelines for clarity.
Q: What is the pattern of assistance under MIDH for organizing seminars, workshops, and other HRD activities?
A: The assistance pattern for HRD activities is specified under the scheme guidelines and varies by intervention. Refer to the official MIDH documentation for details.
Q: Can a beneficiary avail assistance for different crops (e.g., mango, bamboo, and coconut) through different sub-schemes?
A: Yes, beneficiaries can receive assistance for different crops as per the relevant sub-schemes, subject to the eligibility and guidelines.
Q: What is the assistance pattern for promoting women farmers in horticulture?
A: Higher subsidy rates and specific targets are set aside for women farmers under the scheme. Detailed information can be found in the MIDH guidelines.
Q: Can a nursery be set up in less than one hectare?
A: Yes, project proposals for nurseries of varying sizes can be considered, subject to the minimum criteria outlined in the scheme.
Q: Can a beneficiary with more than 4 hectares of land apply for NHM?
A: Yes, landholding size does not disqualify a beneficiary; however, the specifics of assistance may vary based on the project proposal.
Q: Can I apply for the scheme online?
A: The application process for MIDH is conducted offline through district/block horticulture offices.
Q: What documents are required for application?
A: Typically, the required documents include Aadhaar, land documents, caste certificate, bank details, and photographs. Specific requirements may vary by intervention.